7-year-old raises money for friend's surgery with lemonade stand

When a Canadian boy learned how much his best friend needed a costly surgery in the U.S., he decided to find a way to help pay for it. (WLS)

ABC

Monday, July 07, 2014

VANCOUVER --

He's just 7 years old. But when a Canadian boy learned how much his best friend needed a costly surgery in the U.S., he decided to find a way to help pay for it.

And his campaign has gained more support than anyone ever dreamed it could.

Brayden Grozdanich and Quinn Callander have been best buddies since kindergarten.

"They are such great friends. When Quinn comes in the room, Brayden squeals," said Heather Roney, Quinn's mom.

They're together again selling lemonade, an idea Quinn came up with to help his friend.

"I'm raising money for my friend Brayden because he has cerebral palsy and he needs an operation that costs a lot of money," Quinn said.

Because of his cerebral palsy, every time Brayden grows, his muscles tighten.

"He gets very frustrated because he'll try and do something and he'll get mad at himself because he'll fall, like when he gets tired, he'll trip a lot easier because his leg just sort of drags behind him," Toni Grozdanich, Brayden's mom.

There's a procedure done in New Jersey that can alleviate his suffering but it's expensive - $15,000 plus travel expenses and ongoing physiotherapy.

"The surgery is less invasive than the one that they provide for up here," said Travis Grozdanich.

Brayden's parents were prepared to take out a loan, but then Quinn stepped up to help.

"After I watched one of his physiotherapy things and I saw how hard it was for him, I asked my mommy and daddy if I could build a lemonade stand to raise money," said Quinn.

In addition to the lemonade sale, Quinn's mom helped launch an online campaign that has already far surpassed its goal. The generosity of friends and strangers alike has been overwhelming, the family says.

"There are no words. There are no words. It's unbelievable," said Brayden's mom.

Brayden says he's looking forward to his surgery in August.

"Because it will help me walk," he said.

In addition to the lemonade stand, Quinn's mother has helped create an online fundraising campaign that's already surpassed its $20,000 goal, with $48,777 raised as of Monday morning.

Quinn, who is also in Beaver Scouts with Brayden, wrote the summary on the fundraising page, which reads in part: "Sometimes he can't keep up with the rest of the other Beavers and he falls down a lot. Brayden get's daily physio therapy to keep him walking. Sometimes it really hurts him. When I was at his physio, I tried to keep Brayden calm when he was in pain. My Mom told me Brayden is going to have a special surgery to help release the muscle tightness and spastic action. The surgery is not done here in Canada, only in the USA. Brayden and his Mom will be travelling there in August for the operation. Since the surgery is not done in Canada, Braydens Mom and Dad have to pay for it. The surgery will cost $20,000. Please help me raise money to help my friend Brayden, he is a really good guy."